consequentialism

English

Etymology

From consequential +‎ -ism, coined by British analytic philosopher G. E. M. Anscombe in 1958.

Noun

consequentialism (countable and uncountable, plural consequentialisms)

1. (ethics) The ethical study of morals, duties and rights with an approach that focuses consequences of a particular action or cause.
2. (ethics) The belief that consequences form the basis for any valid moral judgment about an action. Thus, from a consequentialist standpoint, a morally right action is one that produces a good outcome, or consequence.

Hyponyms

• utilitarianism

Derived terms

• nonconsequentialism

 

Translations

belief that consequences form the basis for any valid moral judgment

• Czech: konsekvencialismus m
• Finnish: seurausetiikka (fi)
• Hungarian: konzekvencializmus / konszekvencializmus, következményetika

See also

• deontology
• virtue ethics
• the end justifies the means

Further reading

• “consequentialism”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.